Minzkala

by Amy E Hix

  “You were pretty awesome out there, by the way,” he told me.

  “Yeah, I wanted to ask you about that, too.” We stopped a good distance from the crowd and continued our conversation, “There were a couple of times I experienced this focus I can’t explain. It was like tunnel vision. And I’ve never been able to move like that before, flipping around like Cyrow and hovering above the ground like Zarathustria. I know it’s probably one of the new gifts, but I wasn’t told about it before we set out that day.”

  “It’s called the Conundrum. You were able to tap into the strengths of your fellow warriors and use some of their beneficial effects. All Champions have it, but to a lesser degree. You just happened to be in the presence of seventeen warriors with higher skills than any Gael can offer, so you received a higher level of the Conundrum. It’s what I used when we stepped through the wall in the cellar.”

  Ahh. That made perfect sense now. With his strength alone, the King still could have laid waste to those three guards, but with the focus of the Conundrum, I completely understood how he made it happen so fast.

  “You know,” he continued, “You can tap into it at will. Draw on your hunger for victory. Let your mind dwell on what you’re fighting for. Lose yourself in the thoughts, find your zone, and it will come.”

  “Nice, I will. Thanks.”

  “No problem,” he said.

  We walked over to the tables, and after a little while, I found my way back to Cyrow and Loren.

  I could see Sigge and Raffe up on the hill with one of the Dryads, probably discussing different aspects of nature with him. Later, they told me how disheartened the Dryads had become with the destruction of the Mourtaire Forest and other regions in Gael. And how they planned to help rebuild the area, for the benefit of the Centaurs and all who wanted to make Maralune their home.

  Cyrow kept looking around for Zarathustria. She wasn’t with us at the waterfalls, but he was hoping to meet up with her at lunch. I think Stheta noticed his unsatisfied glances through the crowds of people because she walked over to us and explained.

  “She’s off on another assignment,” then she looked out into the crowds, “I know…we’re not letting that poor girl rest. But her skills are much more advanced than any Enchantress we’ve ever come across and we needed her this one last time.”

  Cyrow nodded at Stheta’s words like he understood. Some people had more expected of them than others. And from what Cyrow had said about her, Zarathustria wouldn’t have it any other way. She was serious about her contribution to the war efforts and would much rather be out serving Minzkala than lazing about the city. Still, I’m sure he worried for her safety.

  After lunch, the men who had been brought back from Vahael were safely returned home in the carriers. Most of them had been farmers who lived in the countryside throughout the lands of Maralune. There were quite a few traders, a couple of couriers and a handful of regular townspeople who had been traveling between cities to visit friends and relatives.

  Since the Cerapithali could never taint more than one person at a time, most tainted were men, gathered up from their wives and children who sometimes happened to be with them.

  Their encounters and their visit to Minzkala would be told in stories repeatedly once they were home. They would become legendary, being the last of the tainted and the only ones saved by none other than the King of the Ancients himself.

  Following our meal, we started our afternoon with a visit to the local blacksmith’s shop to have repairs made to our armor and have our blades sharpened. We resupplied our bags with food and all the other necessities for battle. Mabashi and Archaos still had plenty of ammo for the trip, but they went ahead and filled their new quivers until there was no space left.

  Loren and I slipped away from the others once our preparations had been made. Before dinner, we figured we had time to sit out on a grassy hillside and enjoy one another’s company, away from everyone else.

  As Loren laid down on the ground to look into the sky, I walked around the side of the creek, picking up stones and tossing them into the water.

  Every now and then, I looked back at something she said, or the way she said it. That was the day I was struck by my love for her. Through the years, it had begun to grow. But there in Minzkala, with the worries of the world so far away, I let my guard down and fell completely and madly in love with her.

  At one point, I felt drawn to lie beside her, so that I could talk to her closer and softer.

  “In all our time together as children, I never would have guessed it would be me, here with you.”

  She smiled and began to tell me, “Do you remember that time we were searching the stream for sparkling stones? Thaddin snuck up behind us and took the very stone you thought I liked most from our kerchief beside the water…”

  “And I tore into him after he refused to give it back,” I laughed at the memory. “Yes, I remember.”

  “And Raffe told your mother afterwards. You couldn’t come back to the creek with me for a week.”

  I smiled and looked at the ground, “She knew what would make me learn my lesson, that’s for sure. I was miserable that week. It’s funny you should bring that up. I think that was the first time I ever thought you might be more than just a friend to me.”

  I reached into my bag and continued to tell her, “I know it’s not much, but I hope you like it,” I pulled out a bracelet. The stone in the bracelet was the very one I had fought for at the stream. It was just a simple white pebble, but it had an iridescent surface that reflected light.

  “I kept it. Every time I thought of you, I would take it out.”

  She held the bracelet in her hand. Her eyes softened and she smiled affectionately at me, “It’s absolutely beautiful.”

  “The jeweler here made it today while we were out swimming,” I told her.

  She placed the bracelet on her delicate wrist and looked over at me, a single tear falling from her eye, “I have so much I don’t deserve.”

  I slid my arms around her, “You…deserve the world,” I whispered.

  I kissed the side of her face. Our heads lingered together. I took in the smell of her skin. Her finger scaled my back. Her breath was warm. She drew back just a little so that she could turn and kissed me long and soft.

  For the longest time we wouldn’t let go, heated in the moment I had longed for all my life. Our kisses fell into an embrace. We sat there silent, lingering in the thought of being together. Then I lifted her face before mine once more and kissed her forehead and smiled. I rose to my feet to help her up from the ground.

  “Come on; let’s get back up there before anyone misses us.”

  We walked with arms around each other all the way back to Minzkala. I was thankful for our love and our time together. And now that I had experienced Minzkala, I knew nothing could ever separate us.

  As we approached the Palace Balcony, we noticed more warriors up top. All of them had the same soft glow as the three who had died in the forest. Thoughts of how awful their deaths must have been suspended any joy we might have shared with them initially.

  However, this changed as we greeted the new warriors, for their spirits seemed unaffected. They were as calm and trouble-free as Zarathustria, Welkin and Vamble, like a cleansing flood had overcome their very being.

  They told the story of the Giant Sea Serpent, and of the Rocs that swooped in to save the remaining warriors. One spoke of how the other ships sailed off, overloaded with the extra warriors from the sunken ship, while he grew unconscious deep beneath the sea.

  They had a light that shown within them from experiencing a brief trip to Celestra, a light beyond the Ancient glow. But when they tried to put into words what the land of the Ancients was like, they struggled horribly.

  From the Palace Balcony, the sound of the trumpeters signaled for us to once again make our way to the pavilion.
Zarathustria walked out with the King, along with Zaaid, Stheta and the other seven Ancients. They descended from the stairs to meet us at the table for one last evening feast before we left for Sapir.

  The King’s appearance was strikingly different that night. I couldn’t make out if it was the clothing, for he was once again in his regal attire, or if it was some marked change underneath. As he stood before us, he carefully moved his eyes around our group. His look was one of admiration and love for each person present.

  I thought about the journey through the Mourtaire Forest, when I didn’t know what to expect in Minzkala. I looked at Zaaid, then Stheta, then once more at King Naethan. There was little I could put into words about these three. All I knew was that I felt a sense of deep affection toward them, and after only knowing them for such a short period of time.

  They had given me refuge from the weary thoughts of the Legion and the fate of my brother by bringing in the love of my life when I needed her most. They had fought bravely, determined to reunite me with my brother and to rid my heart of discouragement.

  The very armor I wore, suited for a King, made me feel safe against those who might try to kill me. I looked at my sword, the beautiful King’s sword. Then I looked at King Naethan again. The sword had made me feel set apart from the rest. Humility filled me.

  I reached for Loren’s hand and held it tight there in the moment of silence we all shared. We all began to glance around at each other, taking a good look at our assembly of fighters.

  I felt a genuine appreciation for every member. And deep inside, I began to feel the same swelling of the soul brought to the table by the King.

  With our hearts prepared, the King began to speak, “We will leave for Sapir in the morning. The flight will put us in the Highlands around mid-afternoon, when we will join with the army of Rhalas. Among the enemies you need to prepare to face are Orcs, Cerapithali, Slickers, Grosteques and Carrion Drake Riders, along with the Digvi’jan armies themselves, and all in mass numbers.

  “We will attack the Legion’s forces from the east tomorrow evening. I’m sure you’ve all heard about our new friends, the Luminomes. If they agree, perhaps they can help weaken Killian’s Orcs. Even with the Luminomes, we will be outnumbered by about five to one. But we will have the element of surprise on our sides, something I rest assured will made all the difference.”

  He sat when he finished saying this and began to fill his plate. For some reason, nothing about what he said troubled me. I think we all felt confident we would be the ones to bring home the victory.

  Perhaps it was this confidence that the King had foreseen when choosing us. Perhaps our determination could radiate throughout the armies of Rhalas, spreading like a wildfire. And with it, we could become unstoppable.

  After we had eaten, we hung out around the Palace Balcony for a while, not feeling tired, but anxious. The men from the ships were taken to their chambers within the Lords and Ladies Halls early on, for they were exhausted.

  Conversations on various strategies for each race within the Legion’s forces began to rise. We all had our own ideas about what method of attack would best suit the destruction of our enemies.

  “Fouad alone can take out four demons at once, five or six if you count him using old Slicky. What did you name that hideous beast anyway?” Mank asked the DM.

  Fouad’s eyes grew unrealistically sad and he said, “He’s not hideous. He’s my friend, and his name is Slick…just plain Slick.”

  Everyone started laughing, some rolling their eyes at the continual sarcasm Fouad seemed to carry.

  Alusia and Vespa were standing beside the ledge looking off into the city streets the whole time. Every now and then, they would turn to see what the commotion was all about. Sigge joined them in viewing the lighted city below. “Vespa, we thought we might gather up the Spirit Healers after we get situated over there tomorrow night. We’d like to surround the whole army of Maralune with a Spirit of Sovereignty. It will take all of us to complete it, including the other healers from Rhalas. What do you think?”

  “Sounds great,” she replied, “I’ve never done one, except in training for smaller groups. Just let me know what you need me to do when we get there.”

  “Excellent, will do.”

  Zarathustria approached the two of them as well. She asked Alusia to come with her for a few minutes before they all went back to their chambers.

  Zarathustria had been asked to show Alusia a few tips on avoiding detection when entering the more intelligent beings. They didn’t have as much time to practice as the other warriors because Zarathustria had to be away from the city.

  “It’s important that you first remain calm inside the host. I know it’s hard to put yourself into such an evil disguise without becoming a little unnerved but try to focus on something else when you first enter them. Ease into things. Here, try it out on Mank over there.”

  Alusia concentrated her efforts and entered Mank, disappearing from Zarathustria’s side. Mank carried on as normal from what Zarathustria could tell. He had been talking to Mabashi, the two of them laughing about something Mabashi had said. Mank immediately came back at him with a comment or two like nothing had happened. Alusia reappeared.

  “Excellent. I don’t think he had a clue you were there. Let’s find out,” She tried to catch his attention, “Mank!” He heard her and turned to look at her. Zarathustria motioned for him to come over.

  “Anything strange happen to you just a moment ago when you were talking to Mabashi?” she asked him.

  Mank looked at the two Enchantresses with a puzzled look, and putting the pieces together, replied, “You did your little Enchanter thing on me, right?

  “I’m asking if you noticed it.”

  “No, I didn’t. But don’t do that, all right? I’m a vulnerable man. I have feelings, too,” he grinned while saying this and turned to walk back over to Mabashi.

  Zarathustria turned to Alusia after he had walked off, “He’s cute when he talks like that.”

  Alusia laughed, “So I guess I pass that one?”

  “Yep, now for one more. With the same focus and give yourself a good minute or so once you’ve entered, try to make Valkryiex wave at me.”

  Alusia focused once more and disappeared. Two minutes passed and nothing. Valkryiex was talking to Shelija and had not stopped long enough for Alusia to do anything. Alusia knew she had to ease into commanding her host’s actions.

  Zarathustria was becoming concerned when at last…Valkryiex turned and looked at her, and with the cheesiest smile, a mouthful of teeth from ear to ear, waved to her. Zarathustria couldn’t help but laugh.

  As Alusia reappeared beside Zarathustria, Shelija notified Valkryiex, who then laughed and waved them away.

  “You’ve got it! Well, minus the silliness. I think that whole relaxing thing was getting in the way before now. It’ll be even harder out on the battlefield, but as long as you can keep your focus, you’ll never be discovered.”

  Somewhere toward the end of the night, Valkryiex asked Loren if they could play and sing together for the others, thinking it might help to sooth everyone’s minds and help them rest through the night.

  They sat on the platform overlooking the countryside. Loren pulled out her mandolin and Valkryiex, her sitar. They sang ballads for the group of warriors, stories of great love and war, some of them true, some of them just stories. The warriors were affected by their music and began to lounge out around the balcony ledges, a few sitting in the chairs near the pavilion.

  After about a half an hour, they finished their mini-concert with an ancient lullaby. It was gorgeous. The voices of Loren and Valkryiex covered the entire landscape, echoing into the distant hillsides. The soothing, sweet music drew all the warriors to silence as they listened and marveled at the two bards on the platform.

  When the song was over, everyone knew it was time to re
turn to their chambers. They said goodnight to one another and left the Palace Balcony, prepared to dream about more peaceful days to come.

  King Naethan returned to the Palace with Zaaid and Stheta. They needed to discuss one of the pieces of information Zarathustria had brought back that day. She had seen a female human while she was in Aheb’an. The girl had been brought in on a Drake and was heavily guarded.

  They kept her in one of the tower rooms when Zarathustria was there. She didn’t know the face, or even that the woman was an Enchantress like herself, only that she was a human and she was there against her will.

  Before she left, Zarathustria decided to try to talk to her. She used her Enchantress skills to enter the guard at the door, then and cautiously revealed herself to the blonde-headed girl. She searched the guard for keys. While she unlocked the door, Shift told her what Chesed’reg had planned, and about the transfer shield placed on Malakael’s Chamber.

  Zarathustria had opened the door of the tower using the guard’s keys and was about to try to lead Shift out when Hanbrig approached with two more guards and ordered them to carry Shift to Malakael’s Chamber. Terrified and helpless, Zarathustria returned to Minzkala.

  “The first thing we need to do is pack up some Enchanter’s gear. She may need it to get out of wherever they’ll be keeping her,” Zaaid voiced his opinion after they had discussed the motive for bringing Shift to Aheb’an.

  “Yes, I’ll handle that,” Stheta said.

  “By calling in Malakael,” the King spoke softly, “they’re in it to win. Their attempt to call him before the Caliginian War was unsuccessful; we can only hope this one goes much the same way. If they succeed, at least we’ll know where to find Shift.”

  There was little more they could discuss on the subject. They would have to first get there, and then make their way through all the Legion’s forces. A strategy for getting her back could only be formed once they had all the necessary information.